Bonsai

Sorry that you are having to leave Suntrap, Scotsgran, but, on the brighter side, it is going to remain a garden and not turn into a housing development. I understand that the new owners have positive ideas for the property.

Thanks for that Scotsgran . . . are you thinking of having a go yourself? It's a fascinating hobby - I've got about 20 dwarf trees, and love it when the berries on the Cotoneaster for example become really tiny!

Fascinating blog as you know I like wee things, although none are true Bonsai,but many of mine have become dwarf over the century's caused by growing in places with very little soil and moisture.
B

Great blog Sheila. I did a blog a few months back mainly with pictures of the collection along at Binny's.
Thanks for the mention. :)

That is really interesting, Scotsgran - thank you!

Bb the new owners sound like really nice people who will look after Suntrap and that is a comfort.
Do you have a laburnum Sheilabub. Alistair said they are an excellent choice and we get hundreds of seedlings each year which I just weed out. It was lovely to see the leaves become smaller but the berries seemed not to shrink as much as the leaves. Look at the cones on the larch. The tree is tiny compared to one grown in its natural habitat but the cones are only about half the normal size.
Bjs many Bonsai lovers would love to come and raid your garden for self sown seedlings which are growing in the way you describe. As the bonsai plants are grown outside they make excellent companions for the alpine plants you grow.
Scottish I missed your blog from Binny. I'll go and take a look.
Mel do have a look at the websites I have given URLs for as they are gorgeous.

Very interesting Scot. I should think that you would need some patience too to get these just right, I like the idea that you can sit down and garden as well. Lol :)

Definately my kind of gardening Grandmage and not hard on the knees. If you can collect plants from your own garden it can give you a headstart. A small tree or shrub growing over a rockery or wall might be the windblown shape already which means you do not have to butcher a plant to enjoy bonsai. Instead you put it in a pot and keep it small with some judicious pruning. Well they did make it sound a lot easier than it is generally perceived to be.

It really is easy . . . and just as Grandmage says, we can do it sitting down!

I am so pleased to hear the good news about Suntrap Garden. All the efforts to save it have been rewarded.
Thanks for your news Bulbaholic.
I have tried some Hardy Fuchsias Bonsai wise, but understand they should be exactly 2 years old, so it will be interesting to see how they turn out.
Can always have another try.

I think you might have misunderstood Bb Diane. We did not manage to save it for the nation which might have given it to the nation in perpituity but for the moment the garden is safe we understand. We wish the new owners a very long life in which to enjoy this gem.
Your hardy fuchsias sound exciting. As long as you keep them alive, but not trying to prune top and roots in the same year, which might kill them with shock, they should do well. We'll look forward to seeing a photo. They do like to be outside with a bit of protection if it gets very cold. Keeping them next to the house will give them extra protection too.

Thanks Scotsgran. Perhaps the new owners of Suntrap will welcome volunteers again when they find out the cost of paying staff !
Thanks for the advice about Bonsai fuchsias. Its helpful to experiment with existing plants to save expense. I have planted a Conker, to play about with later on.

I'll do that, Scotsgran - thanks! I amn so glad to hear that Suntrap seems to be in safe hands.

That was very interesting.

Thank you for all your comments. There seems to be a lot of bonsai plants for sale so maybe we will be lucky enough to be given one for Christmas We had our annual meal out last evening and we were told about our new 'home'. Ravelrig 'Riding for the disabled' in Balerno are letting us use their meeting room. Our secretary is well ahead with arranging the new syllabus. As always visitors and new members are welcome to join us on the third Tuesday of the month at 7pm.